NC strategic highway corridors policy - Fairview Rural Fire Department

RALEIGH -Transportation Secretary Lyndo Tippett joined Commerce Secretary Jim Fain and Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Bill Ross at a special signing ceremony today to officially endorse the state's new Strategic Highway Corridor (SHC) Policy. This new multi-agency policy identifies highway corridors that play a critical role in regional or statewide mobility and reinforces the three agencies' commitment to improving transportation, economic development and environmental stewardship throughout North Carolina.

The list of strategic corridors includes all current and future interstate highways, as well as other major routes such as U.S. 70 and U.S. 17 in the east, U.S. 64 and U.S. 49 in the Piedmont, and U.S. 74 and U.S. 321 in western North Carolina. The department will next begin developing long-term opportunities to help these corridors better meet the mobility needs of the state.

"NCDOT is pleased to partner with the Departments of Commerce and Environment and Natural Resources to support a policy that will advance our shared goals," said Secretary Tippett. "We all have a vested interest in improved connections to job centers, more efficient mobility and better land use, and we must continue to work together to ensure these needs are met. This policy enables us to have a concrete long-term vision for our state that will make the most of our available resources and foster growth for years to come."

"A solid, carefully designed transportation system makes for a more competitive business climate, and I support this policy whole-heartedly," said Secretary Fain. "Improving North Carolina's interstates and intrastate mobility is essential to the health and vitality of the state's businesses and makes for a better quality of life for those they employ."

"Efficient use of our existing highways and careful forethought regarding the development of land around our highways are an important part of preserving our state's precious natural resources," said Secretary Ross. "By identifying our plans for Strategic Highway Corridors throughout the state, we can make the most of our transportation infrastructure and minimize environmental impact."

Strategic Highway Corridors were selected based on criteria such as their potential to enhance statewide mobility, provide connections to important activity centers, function as an alternate route for an existing interstate or serve as a major hurricane evacuation route. The SHC policy was adopted by the N.C. Board of Transportation on September 2, 2004 and is the first implementation step of North Carolina's new Statewide Transportation Plan.

During a two-year study period, the three agencies jointly sponsored nine public input forums across the state (three each in eastern, central and western North Carolina) to identify these strategic corridors. This input, combined with NCDOT's own technical analysis, was used to develop a final list of corridors across the state. The list also designates a desired facility typeâ€”freeway, expressway, boulevard or thoroughfareâ€”for each corridor. The desired facility type is based on a number of factors, including the route's overall role in the state's highway system, the presence of medians along the corridor and the presence of traffic signals and driveways. Officials aim to eventually upgrade all corridors to their desired facility type.

NCDOT is conducting corridor studies throughout the state to provide support for the desired facility type selected for each corridor. Corridor studies are currently underway on the U.S. 64/N.C. 49, U.S. 17 and N.C. 73 corridors.

For more information regarding the Strategic Highway Corridors policy, including a complete list of the identified highways, please visit http://www.ncdot.org/planning/tpb/shc

The new Statewide Transportation Plan can be viewed at http://www.ncdot.org/planning/statewideplan

***NCDOT***

Release: IMMEDIATE
Date: December 1, 2004
Contact: Lisa Crist Crawley, (919) 733-2522
Distribution: Statewide
Release No.: 558